Electronic translating device



March 16, 1943.

H. ZIEBOLZ 2,314,302

ELECTRONIC TRANSLATING DEVICE Filed Nov. 4, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March16, 1943. H. ZIEBOLZ ELECTRONIC TRANSLATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 4, 1941 Patented Mar. 16, 1943 ELECTRONIC TRANSLATING DEVICEHerbert Ziebolz, Chicago, 111., assignor to Electronbeam, Incorporated,Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application November 4, 1941,Serial No. 417,871

19 Claims. (Cl. 250-151) The invention relates to an electronictranslating device of the cathode-ray tube type for relaying,amplifying, converting, transforming or otherwise translatingelectrical, magnetic or electromagnetic signals or signals of any naturewhich may be converted by known means into electric, magnetic orelectromagnetic signals. The invention is useful in translating signalsrepresenting physical, chemical or other conditions, such as chemicalreactions, heat, sound, light, mechanical motion or displacement whichmay be converted by such means as thermocouples, microphones, lightsensitive cells, mechanical movements or displacements of magnets,charged bodies, electromagnets, coils or cores of electromagnets.

One object of the invention is to provide means for performing thesetranslating functions with a minimum of distortion due to any change inthe characteristics of the means or of the electronic device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a translating device forperforming these functionswithout reflecting any variation from thecontrolled means back into the signal source.

Another object of the invention is to provide means by which mechanical,electrical, magnetic and electromagnetic signals may be converted fromone type into another with a minimum of distortion due to changes in thecharacteristics of the converting means.

Another object of the invention is to provide means by whichmechanica'L'electrical magnetic, electromagnetic signals may beamplified or proportioned with a minimum of influence of changes in thecharacteristics of the amplifying means. 7

Another object is to provide an electronic device of this characterwhich can be employed as a direct current amplifier.

This invention relates to a cathode-ray or vacuum type tube in which anelectron stream or beam is deflected by suitable deflecting means tovary the number of electrons intercepted by electron receiving means oran anode, the deflecting means being energized in accordance withsignals to be translated. A second deflecting means is provided to actupon the electron stream in opposition to the first deflecting means,and the second deflecting means is energized in accordance withvariations in the number of electrons acting upon the electron receivingmeans or anode, the arrangement being such that the stream is deflectedto establish a state of equilibrium between the two deflecting means.

Other aims and advantages of the invention will appear in thespecification, when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig.1 is a circuit diagram showing one form of translating deviceaccording to the invention;

Figs. 2 to 9 are fragmentary diagrammatic views showing modifications orvariations in the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 10 is a diagram of curves illustrating the operation of theapparatus.

In Fig. 2, the signal deflecting means is a magnetic coil; while thebalancing deflecting means comprises a pair of deflecting plates.

In Fig. 3, a magnetic coil is employed as the signal deflecting meansand a movable magnetic field as the balancing deflecting means.

In Fig. 4, the signal deflection is accomplished by a pair of deflectingplates; while the balancing deflection is accomplished by a magneticcoil.

In Fig. 5, both deflecting means are shown as being deflecting plates.

In Fig. 6, the signal deflection is accomplished by a pair of deflectingplates; while the balancing deflection is accomplished by a movablemagnetic field.

In Fig. 7, the signal deflection is accomplished by a movable magneticfield; while the balancing deflection is accomplished by a magneticcoil.

In Fig. 8, the signal, deflection is accomplished by a movable magneticfield and the balancing deflection involves a pair of deflecting plates.

In Fig. 9, both deflecting means comprise movable magnetic fields.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, there is diagrammaticallyrepresented a cathode-ray tube consisting of an insulating envelope 20.The internal construction of the cathode-ray tube may be of any suitableand well known type, but for the purpose of illustration, the tube has asource of electrons represented by a heater or filament 2| for heatingan electron emitting cathode 22. The electrons emitted by cathode 22 areaccelerated and focused into an electron beam of suitable shape directedalong the axis of the tube by means of an accelerating and concentratingelectrode 23 mounted in the tube with a positive potential with respectto the cathode 22 obtained by means of a suitable source of potential,represented by the battery 24. The electron beam established within thetube is indicated by dotted lines 25.

Suitable electron receiving means, represente by the anode plates 28 and21, are positioned shown, it will be understood that only one plate Imay be employed if desired. The anodes 26 and .21 are connected toreceive suitable coupling resistances 28 and 29 and are shown as beingconnected to a source of positive potential, represented by the battery30, the negative terminal or which is connected to the positive terminalof battery 24. In some instances, the battery 30 may be omitted.Moreover, it is not essential that resistances 28 and 29 be connected tothe battery 24, but they may be connected to ground. A load or outputcircuit or any other device 3| utilizing load current or potential isconnected directly across the leads to plates 26 and 21.

The electron beam 25 may be initially concentrated or focused on eitherplate 26 or 21 or it may be focused to intercept both plates to an equalextent. In this example, the beam is defiected relative to both platesby means of a magnetic deflecting coil 32 which is energized from asuitable source 33 of signal current. The coil 32 establishes a magneticfield transversely of the beam 25, whereby the beam is deflected in adirection depending upon the direction of the field established by thecoil 32.

Deflection of the beam 25 in accordance with signals from the source 33causes corresponding variations in the number of electrons impingingupon plates 26 and 21, thereby causing plates 26 and 21 to vary inpotential in response to the signals from source 33. Where two platesare employed and the beam is initially positioned midway between theplates, the potential variations on plate 26 are opposite to thevariations on plate 21, and the difference in potential between theplates supplies the load or output circuit 3| with current or voltagewhich varies in accordance with the signals supplied from source 33. Itwill be understood that the load may be connected from either plate 26or plate 21 to ground, or one of the plates may be omitted and the loadconnected between the remaining plate and ground.

A bending or counterbalancing magnetic field is established transverselyof the beam 25 by means of a magnetic coil 34 which is shown as beingenergized by current derived from the potential variations existingbetween plates 26 and 21. The amount of current supplied to coil 34 maybe regulated or proportioned by means of a potentiometer 35 having itsinput circuit connected between plates 26 and 21 and in parallel withthe load 3|. The coil 34 is so connected that its field tends to deflectthe beam 25 in an opposite direction from the deflecting coil 32.

The operation of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is believed to be clearfrom the foregoing description. It is assumed that the field establishedby coil 32, tends to deflect the beam from mid-position toward theplates 26 and a potential difference is established between plates 26and This potential difference energizes coil 34 and establishes adeflecting or counterbalancing magnetic field which tends to deflect thebeam in the opposite direction or toward plate 21. In case a steadysignal current is supplied to coil 32, the beam 25 will assume aposition in which the deflecting actions of coils 32 and 34 are in a,state of equilibrium and, under this condition, the potential differenceexisting between plates 26-and 21 will be directly proportional to thesignal applied to the coil 32. The proportion or ratio between the inputsignal and the signal supplied to the load may be' adjusted orcontrolled by adjustment of the potentiometer 35.

One of the advantages of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, may beexplained by reference to curves shown in Fig. 10. The abscissae of Fig.10 represent deflections of the electron beam from its normal positionand the ordinates represent the value of the potential across the load.

The curve A represents for a given tube under otherwise constantconditions, the variation in load potential as the beam is deflectedfrom its normal position by a progressively increasing amount until thedeflection reaches a point where a. maximum potential difference Am isreached. Preferably, the amount of deflection required to produce themaximum difference in potential is produced by a relatively smallunbalance between the deflecting forces of the coils 32 and 34. Forexample, the amount of unbalance may be only 1%. In other words, themaximum load potential is produced by only a 1% difference between thedeflecting force of the coil 32 and the deflecting force of the coil 34.If it is assumed that the ordinate of a line E represents the value ofthe load voltage necessary to secure a balancing force in coil 34 for agiven input signal, then the point of intersection of curve A with lineE will give the amount of deflection of the beam required to establishequi-' librium between the two deflecting coils represented by thedistance (c).

If, for any reason, the operating characteristic of the cathode ray tubeshould change such that it is represented by the curve B, while theinput signal remains unchanged, the new amount of deflection required toproduce a state of equilibrium will now be represented by a distance(d). which corresponds to the abscissa line where the curve B crossesthe line E. If the ordinate of line E is maintained small in comparisonwith the maximum ordinates of curves A and B, the ratio between theinput signal and the output signal will be substantially unaffected byvariations in the characteristics of the cathode-ray tube as representedby the curves in Fig. 10. As a result of this operation, there will be asubstantially linear relationship between the input signal voltage andthe voltage produced across the load, and this relation is notsubstantially affected by changes in the operating characteristics ofthe cathode-ray tube.

The arrangement represented in Fig. 2 corresponds to that shown in Fig.1, except that the opposing or balancing deflection of the beam 25 isproduced by means of a pair of electrostatic deflecting plates 36 and 31arranged on opposite sides of the beam and supplied with energizingpotential derived across the plates 26 and 21 through a potentiometer35. A further variation in Fig. 2 over Fig. 1 involves the use of anamplifier 38 having its input terminals connected between plates 26 and21 and arranged to supply amplified voltage or current to the load 3|and intensity supplied from a suitable source, represented by thepermanent magnet 38, is moved in position with respect to the electronbeam in accordance with potential variations developed across the plates26 and 21. For this purpose, the magnet 39 may be mounted upon a pivotedleverlil which is restrained in its movement by a biasing spring 4| andis moved by a solenoid 62 which, in turn, is energized by currentderived from the potential difierence developed across plates 26 and 21.With this arrangement, it must be assumed that there is no direct actionon the electron beam by the currents derived from electrodes 26 and 21,but the compensating defiection is secured solely by movement of themagnetic field, established by the permanent magnet 39.

The movement of the magnet 39 will be proportional to the value of thesignal supplied to coil 32, and the position of the magnet 39 or of thelever 40 may serve to indicate the value of the input signal. In otherwords, the arrangement in Fig. 3 produces a mechanical displacement ofthe lever 40 proportional to the signal supplied to the coil 32.Therefore, the lever 40 may be used to produce corresponding mechanicalmovements of any device connected thereto.

In Fig. 4, theinput signal from the source 33 is supplied toelectrostatic deflecting plates 43 and M to produce the primarydeflection of the beam 25, and the counterbalancing deflection issecured by a magnetic coil 35 in the same manner as in Fig. 1'. Thearrangement shown in Fig. 4 may be utilized for measuring electrostaticcharges by inserting a suitable meter 55 in the circuit to coil 36, theindication being proportional to the pdtential difierence between theplates 53 and 59.

In Fig. 5, signal currents from the source 33 are supplied to deflectingplates 33 and M in the same manner as in Fig. 4 and the counterbalancingor compensating deflection is accomplished by means of deflecting plates36 and 31, as in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 6, the signal deflection is obtained by means of plates 33 and5% as in Figs. 4 and 5, and the counterbalancing deflection is obtainedby an arrangement like that shown in Fig. 3 and involving a movablemagnet 39. supported on a pivoted bar 48 and operated by anelectromagnet G2 which, in turn, is energized by currents derived fromthe cross plates 26 and'i'i.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 7 may be used for converting mechanicalmovements into proportional electrical variations. ment, the primarydeflection of the beam 25 is secured by mechanical displacement of adeflecting magnetic field established from a suitable source representedby a permanent magnet 66 which is mounted for relative movement withrespect to the tube 20. The movement of magnet 45 develops correspondingvariations in. potential diflerence between plates 26 and 21 and thecounterbalancing deflection is secured by means of a magnetic coil 36 asin previous arrangements. The arrangement shown in Fig. 7 may also beemployed to indicate the amount of mechanical displacement of an elementmovable with magnet 46 by including an indicating meter 45 in thecircuit to the coil 33.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 8 is a variation of the arrangement shownin Fig. 7, in that the counterbalancing deflection is secured by meansof electrostatic deflecting plates 86 and 8'9, as in Figs. 2 and 5.

In this arrange- While a number of variations in the primaryandcounterbalancing deflecting means have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be obvious that other arrangements are .possible and itis contemplated that one or more of the various deflectingmeansdescribed herein may be employed in combination with others toproduce the primary deflection or to produce the counteractingdeflection.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that either the inputsignal or the balancing signal or both signals may be derived from anycondition or conditions which can be translated into electromagnetic orelectrostatic fields or into movements of such fields. Likewise, theinput signal may be set or adjusted or itmay be varied and the balancingsignal, which may be of a different magnitude or character, can bemaintained proportional to the input signal.

Obviously,-the present invention is not restricted to the particularembodiments thereof herein shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic translating device comprising, in combination, meansfor producing an electronic beam; means for receiving electrons fromsaid beam; input means including a first deflecting means to variablybend the beam in accordance with signal variations and thereby vary thenumber of electrons intercepted by the receiving means; a seconddeflecting means acting on said beam; and means responsive to thevariations in the number of electrons intercepted by said receivingmeans for variably energizing the second deflecting means synchronouslywith said signal variations and in a direction tending to deflect saidbeam in opposition to said first deflecting means and thereby establishequilibrium between said first and said second deflecting means.

2. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein one ofsaid deflecting means comprises means for establishing a variablemagnetic field transversely of said electronic beam and serving tovariably deflect said beam at right angles to said magnetic field.

3. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein one ofsaid deflecting means comprises a pair of deflecting plates positionedon opposite sides of said beam for establishing an electric fieldtransversely of said beam and serving to deflect said beam in adirection parallel to said field.

4. An electronic translating device'according' to claim 1, wherein oneof said deflecting means comprises means for establishing a constantmagnetic field transversely of said electronic beam, and means formoving said constant magnetic field relative to said electronic beam.

5. An electronic translating device according to claim- 1, wherein bothbeam deflecting means comprise electrostatic fields.

6. An electronic translating. device according to claim 1, wherein bothbeamdeilecting means comprise magnetic fields,

8. An electronic translating device according toclaim 1, wherein atleast one of the deflecting means comprises a magnetic field.

9. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein atleast one of the deflecting means comprises mechanically movable meansto produce relative displacement of the beam and the receiving means.

10. An electronic translating device comprising, in combination, meansfor producing an electronic beam, 8. pair of electrodes for receivingelectrons from said beam, input means including a first deflecting meansto variably bend the beam in accordance with signal variations andthereby vary the number of electrons intercepted by said electrodes, asecond deflecting means for acting on said beam, and means responsive tothe potential difference developed between said electrodes forvariablyenergizing the second deflecting means synchronously with saidsignal variations and in a direction tending to deflect said beam inopposition to said first deflecting means and thereby establishequilibrium between said first and said second deflecting means.

11. An electronic translating device according to claim 10, wherein thesecond deflecting means embodies a magnetic coil for establishing amagnetic field transversely of said beam, and a circuit for energizingsaid coil by a current derived from the potential difference developedbetween.

said electrodes.

12. An electronic translating device according to claim 10, wherein thesecond deflecting means comprises a pair of deflecting plates arrangedon opposite sides of said beam, and circuit connecpotential variationsdeveloped between said electrodes.

13. An electronic translating device according to claim 10, wherein thesecond deflecting means comprises means for establshing a constantmagnetic field transversely of said beam, and means responsive to thepotential variations developed between said electrodes for variablyshifting said constant magnetic field transversely of said beam.

- 14. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein theamount of deflection of said beam required for establishing equilibriumbetween said deflecting means is relatively small by comparisonwith thedeflection required to produce the maximum variation in electrons.intercepted by said receiving means.

15. An electronic translating device according to claim 1, wherein theamount of deflection reauired to produce the maximum difference inpotential on the receiv'ng means is produced by a. relatively smallunbalance between the deflecting forces of the two deflecting means.

16. A translating device comprising, in combination, means for producinga beam which is capable of being deflected by an electric fleld, meansfor intercepting said beam, input means tions for charging said platesin accordance with including a first deflecting means coacting with thebeam to vary the amount of interception by the receiving means inaccordance with signal variations, a second deflecting means acting onsaidbeam, and means responsive to the amount of interception by saidreceiving means for variablyenergizing the second deflecting meanssynchronously with said signal variations and in a direction tending todeflect said beam in opposition to said first deflecting means andthereby establish equilibrium between the two deflecting means.

17. An electronic translating device comprising, in combination, meansfor producing an electronic beam, input control means including meansfor deflecting said beam in accordance with signal variations, an outputcircuit including means controlled by said beam for establishingincreasing amounts of energy ,flow in said output circuit withincreasing deflection of said beam, a second deflecting means acting onsaid beam, and means for energizing said second deflecting means fromsaid output circuit synchronously with said signal variations and in adirection tending to limit the amount of deflection of said beam.

18. An electronic translating device comprising, in combination, meansfor producing an electronic beam, an input control means including meansfor deflecting said beam in accordance with signal variations, an outputcircuit including means controlled by the deflection of said beam forestablishing increasing amounts of energy flow in said output circuitwith increasing deflection of said beam, at second control means actingon said beam to vary the amount of energy flow in the output circuit,and means for variably'energizing said second control means from saidoutput circuit synchronously with said signal variations and in adirection tending to vary the output energy in opposition to thevariation produced by the input control means.

19. Electronic translating apparatus comprising, in combination, acathode ray tube having means for forming a cathode beam and means forintercepting the beam, an input system applying a deflecting force tothe beam to vary the amount of interception by the intercepting means inaccordance with signal variations, and a system responsive to the amountof interception by the intercepting means for establishing a force inopposition to the deflectin force of said input system, said opposingforce varying synchronously with said signal variations and therebyestablishing equilibrium between the two opposing forces.

HERBERT ZIEBOLZ.

